Liverpool in the cup final + matches that will shape European leagues

⚽ Liverpool face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final at 6:30pm. The Reds enter Wembley tonight as defending champions looking to extend their record haul to an incredible 11 trophies, while the Magpies desperately try to end their trophy drought, having reached the finals last season only to fall short against Manchester United. Despite two qualifications into the finals, the Magpies have never lifted the trophy.

Both sides have navigated challenging paths to Wembley — Liverpool bested the Spurs, Southampton, Brighton, and West Ham, while Newcastle knocked out Arsenal, Brentford, Chelsea, and Nottingham Forest in an impressive cup run.

The London Derby shapes Arsenal’s season: Arsenal will be hosting Chelsea in a crucial London Derby in Matchweek 29 of the Premier League. With Liverpool occupied by cup duties, Arteta’s Gunners have a golden opportunity to cut the gap at the top, which had ballooned to 15 points. Chelsea, meanwhile, see this as a chance to solidify their credentials, potentially widening the gap from Man City in fourth while closing in on second place. Kick-off was at 3:30pm.

Current team standings as of publication:

Liverpool (70 points)
Arsenal (55 points)
Nottingham Forest (54 points)
Chelsea (49 points)
Man City (48 points)

Fulham vs. Tottenham also kicked off at 3:30pm, while the matchweek concludes tonight with Leicester City hosting Man United at 9pm.

La Liga title race heats up: Atlético will be welcoming Barcelona in the headline fixture of La Liga’s Matchweek 28 tonight at 10pm. This heavyweight clash gives Barça the chance to reclaim the top spot from Real Madrid, who temporarily moved ahead after defeating Villarreal yesterday. This is a chance for Atlético to announce themselves as legitimate title contenders with a statement win at Metropolitano.

Current team standings as of publications:

Real Madrid (60 points)
Barcelona (57 points, with a postponed game in hand)
Atletico Madrid (56 points)

Other La Liga fixtures today:

Sevilla vs. Athletic Bilbao (5:15pm)
Osasuna vs. Getafe (7:30pm)
Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Sociedad (7:30pm)

Serie A’s potential title decider: Atalanta is hosting Inter in Serie A’s marquee Matchweek 29 fixture at 9:45pm, a clash that could have massive implications for the Scudetto race with the season entering its final stretch. Defending champions Inter sit at the top of the table on goal difference ahead of Napoli, who dropped two points earlier today in a draw against Venezia, while Atalanta trailing by three points in third place.

Other crucial Serie A fixtures: